Milking machine trap



Jan, S, 1952 w. H. HARE-NICK MILKING MACHINE TRAP 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Dec. 22, 1949 Jam... 8 1952 w. H. HARsTncK 2,531,530

MILKING MACHINE TRAP Filed Dec. 22, 1949 2 SI-IEETS--Sl-IEET 2 Patented Jan. 8, 1952 MILKING MACHINE TRAP William H. Harstick, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to International Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application December 22, 1949, Serial No. 134,496

7 Claims.

, This invention relates to an improved trap container for use in connection with a milking machine. More specifically, the invention relates to a liquid trap which is adapted to be contained within the milker receptacle of a milking machine,

Milking units to which the present invention may be adapted are well-known to those familiar with the art of milking. A milker unit usually consists of a milker pail which includes a removable cover that is held in sealing relation with respect to the receptacle during a vacuum depression therein. The cover also usually includes a milk inlet or pet cock connection which is adapted to draw milk through the milk conduit connected to a milker claw. The milking action on the teats of the cow is obtained by the utili zation of a pulsating device arranged to intermittently collapse conventional teat cup inflations engaging the teats of the cow, for securing I the milk. The pulsating unit may be mounted on the cover of the milk receptacle. A vacuum connection is usually in communication with the pulsator, the vacuum connection generally running to a stanchion hose which in turn is in communication with a vacuum pump. The milk receptacle is generally in communication-with the source of vacuum through a chamber provided in the pulsating unit.

During the milking operation it is exceedingly important that the milk within the receptacle remains free of any contamination. Contamination might occur if for some reason the vacuum connection between the pulsator and the stanchion hose is broken. Under a condition of this type liquids within the pulsator and within the vacuum connection would likely be sucked into the milking receptacle since the receptacle would for a short time contain a vacuum depression. Under other conditions of operation a teat cup inflation may become broken whereupon milk, as it is withdrawn from the cow, enters into the vacuum connection being drawn back in the pulsator and subsequently into the receptacle. This undesirable condition has been recognized by Burrell and in his Patent 1,111,562 patented September 22, 1914. he shows a milking machine trap which is designed to safeguard the milk against the hazards of contamination.

It is the prime object of applicant to provide an improved milking machine trap, the trap being readily insertable within a conventional type of milker receptacle.

In traps of this nature the trap chamber has an openingin communication with the interior r of the milk receptacle so that a. vacuum depression is present within the receptacle during the milking operation. This vacuum depression, of course, is efiective to draw the milk from the cow through the milk inlet connection into the receptacle. Since under certain conditions of oporation contaminated liquids might be contained in the milker trap, it is desirable that the connection between the receptacle and the trap be substantially close to the top of the trap. Thus the contaminated fluids within the trap are prevented from flowing into the milker receptacle.

It is another object of applicants invention to provide an improved arrangement for a vacuum connection between a milker receptacle and a trap chamber. A still further object is to provide an improved liquid trap for a milking receptacle, the trap be-- ing integrally formed with the removable cover for the receptacle.

A still further object is to provide a liquid trap for a milk receptacle, the liquid trap including an upwardly extending dimple having an opening placing the upper end ofthe trap chamber in communication with the upper portion of a milker receptacle.

Applicants invention is embodied in a liquid trap which is integrally formed with the removable cover for a milker receptacle. The cover is dished downwardly into the receptacle, thereby providing a trap chamber. The trap chamber is suitably sealed by means of a removable closure which is arranged to support a pulsating unit. The pulsating unit is in communication with the lower end of the trap chamber by means of a conduit which terminates adjacent the bottom of the trap. A novel vacuum connection is provided between the upper portion of the milker receptacle and the upper portion of the trap. This connection is in the form of an upwardly extending dimple which is pressed inwardly into the trap chamber. The dimple is provided at its maximum depth with an opening which is in communication with the milker receptacle and the upper portion of the trap. The novel arrangement disclosed. and the objects accomplished will become more fully apparent from the description when examined in connection with the drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view in elevation through a milking machine, the machine including a milker receptacle, a liquid trap, and a pulsating unit mounted on a removable cover for the receptacle.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a removable closure member for a liquid trap. I Fig. 3 is a sectional view through a liquid trap taken substantially along the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, a milking machine is generally designated by the reference character I I]. Themilkingmachine includes a milker receptacle I I which is adapted to be sealed by means of a horizontally extending cover [2. The cover I! includes an outwardly projecting terminates conventional milker hose (not shown) leading to a'milker claw (not shown). The milk inlet connection l5 may be controlled by means of a conventional petcock l1.

A liquid trap positionedwithin the receptacle l is generally designated by the reference character it). The trap I8 is integrally formed with the cover l2, the cover being provided with a dished portion 29. The dished portion {9' is pressed down inwardly into the receptacle and includes'abottom 2il. In the present disclosure best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the dished portion it, of hemispherical shape but it must be readily understood that the trap may be concal shape is especially desirable from the standpoint of cleaning since it presents a minimum of sharp corners. I

The bottom 28 of the trap 18 is formed with an upwardly extending dimple 2|. The dimple may also be described as a flared depression which extends inwardly into the trap [8. The dimple includes a cone-shaped wall 22 which at an apex 23. The cone-shaped wall 22 includes a vertical portion 2 which extends substantially perpendicular with respect tothe horizontal. cover l2.- The dimple 2 l at its apex- 23 is provided with an opening- 25'. The opening 25 places the upper end of the receptacle ll in communication with the upper portion of the trap 58. Y Y q The trap i8 is provided with a'removable closure 2? best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The closure 2i includes an annular flange 28 which engages a rubber sealing ring 29 for securely sealing the trap is during the depression within the trap i and within the container I I. The dished portion i9 is provided with an annular sealing edge 7 35.! which is engaged by the sealing ring 29 as best shown in Fig. 1.

The removable closure 27 includes an upwardly extending portion or boss 3| which is adapted to mount a pulsating unit 32. The pulsating unit 32 may be of conventional construction including a chamber 32 which is-adapted to' be placed in communication with the trap 18 and the receptacle H.

A, threaded connection 33 engages aconventional. baleshaped handle 34 provided on the cover 52, therconnection '33 being arranged to firmly seat the pulsating unit 32lon'the upwardly extending boss 3!.' AI vacuum connection '35 places the chamber 32" in communication with the trap F8. The vacuum connection 35 includes a conduit 35 which has its lower end terminating in an opening 31 positioned -substantially close to the bottom '20 of the t'ra'p l8. The conduit 35 also has an opening 38 at its upper end, this opening normally being'in communicationjwith the chamber 32'. A check valve 39 is seated over the opening 38. Thecheck valve includes a weight 40 which is positioned within the conduit 35. The valve 39 is. so. arranged as to open outwardly of thetrap 18, the valve moving upwardly during a vacuum depression within the chamber 32. f The. pulsating unit 32:- is provided withcon: ventional teat cup connections 14L. Asfl rc'e .or vacuum for-the chamber. 32.,ith'e trap. l8. and the; receptacle is provided by meansoi a con- 4 duit 42 which is adapted to connect to a vacuum pipe line or vacuum pump (not shown).

During the operation of the milking machine iii the receptacle H is placed under a vacuum depression. This vacuum depression results from the communication of the chamber 32' with the trap I8 and the trap l8 being in communication with the receptacle by means of the opening 25. Milk flows inwardly into the receptacle through the milk inlet connectionl5. If for any reason the vacuum connection between the conduit 42 and the source of vacuum is broken, liquid Within the pulsating unit might find its way into the trap. 18. The check valve 39 is normally provided to prevent the entrance of liquids into the trap 18. However, under certain conditions, the valve may be inoperative or unable to seat properly and thus liquids will find their way into the trap l8. The opening 25 is placed sufliciently close to the top of the trap l8 so that the, liquids collecting within the trap I8 will be prevented from entering into the milk receptacle II. The trap is made sufiiciently large so that the liquid level will stay below the opening 25' even under extraordinary conditions. The vacuum connection- 35 extends sufiiciently close to the bottom of the trap l8 so that any liquid in the trap will be again picked up and drawn into the vacuum system when the system is again placed into communication with a source of vacuum.

Under certain conditions as the milk enters into the receptacle H droplets of milk will form on the underneath side of the cover l2. droplets of milk may result from the surging and splashing'action of the milk as it enters into'the receptacle H. of milk remain within the receptacle and that means he provided for preventing these droplets from being drawn into the liquid trap. Normally the air from the receptacle is drawn by suction through the opening 25 into the trap l8 and thereupon out into the vacuum system. This flow of air would normally cause droplets of milk hanging around and adjacent the trap opening 25 to be picked up in the air stream and to become lodged in the trap 18. Applicant can overcome this undesirable aspectv with his improved construction wherein a dimple is formed in the bottom of the trap. The dimple is of flared construction, being provided at its lower end with a large diameter opening which tapers in coneshape fashion to the relatively small opening 25. The effect of this arrangement is to lower the velocity of the air as it enters at the Widest point of the flare and therefore there is little chance of droplets hanging around the lower edgeof the dimple from being drawn inwardly into the dimple toward the opening. 'In' other words, with this type of construction it can readily 'be. ap-

' preciated that the velocity of air flow throughthe large end of the cone-shaped dimple 2I' is sufficiently reduced so that it will not entrain droplets hanging around the edge of the opening and sweep them into trap l8 through opening '25 through which it passes at a relatively higher velocity. r

It is clearly apparent that applicant has provided a novel arrangement to prevent the pos sible entrance of milk droplets from the receptacle into the milk trap. By forming the depression within the bottom of the dished portion 15 an economical and efiective construction is provided. As best shown, ,in 'Ifig; l the includes a vertical portionj l. this portion" being substantially perpendicular with; respect to the These It is desirable that these droplets cover I 2. The vertical portion 24 permits the pening to be located substantially near the center of the trap thus eliminating the possibility of contaminated liquid from entering into the receptacle through the opening 25 when the receptacle and trap are tipped at an angle.

It is clearly apparent that applicant has provided a novel and efi'ective moisture trap for a milking machine. The trap is effective to prevent undesirable liquids from entering into the milk receptacle and is also designed to prevent the entrance of milk droplets from the receptacle into the trap. It must be understood that modifications may be made which do not depart from the contemplated scope of applicant's claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a milker receptacle having a milk inlet connection, a trap for the receptacle, said trap including a trap chamber disposed within the receptacle, and a vacuum connection for said chamber being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum, said trap including a dimpled portion projecting inwardly into said trap, said dimpled portion including an opening communicating with the upper portion of said trap chamber, said openin also communicating with the upper portion of said milker receptacle to provide for communication between the vacuum connec tion and said milker receptacle.

2. A milker unit comprising a milk receiving receptacle, a cover for said receptacle, said receptacle including a milk inlet connection, a trap container projecting into said receptacle, an upwardly extending depressed portion formed in said container, said depressed portion having sides converging toward an apex, the depressed portion includin an opening communicating with the upper portion of said trap container, and a conduit within said container having an opening terminatin substantially adjacent the bottom of said container, said conduit being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum.

3. A milker unit comprising a milk receiving receptacle, a cover for said receptacle, said receptacle including a milk inlet connection, a trap container projecting into said receptacle, an upwardly extending depressed portion formed in said container, said depressed portion having sides converging toward an apex, the depressed portion including an opening communicating with the upper portion of said trap container, a conduit within said container having an opening terminating substantially adjacent the bottom of said container, said conduit being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum, and a check valve for said conduit, said valve being arranged to open outwardly of said container.

4. A milker unit comprisin a milk receiving receptacle, a cover for said receptacle, said receptacle including a milk inlet connection, a trap container for said receptacle, said trap having a bottom portion with an inwardly extending depression forming a dimple, said dimple including an opening in communcation with the upper portion of said container and the upper portion of said receptacle, and a vacuum connection for said trap container.

5. A milker unit comprising a milk receiving receptacle, a horizontal removable cover for said receptacle, said cover including a milk inlet connection, a dished portion on said cover,said dished portion projecting downwardly into said receptacle thereby forming a trap chamber, an upwardly extending depression formed in said dished portion, said depression having sides terminating adjacent an opening communicating with the upper portion of the receptacle and the upper portion of said trap chamber, one of said converging sides extending substantially perpendicular with respect to said cover, a removable closure for said trap chamber, said closure including a vacuum connection adapted to connect to a source of vacuum, said connection including an upright conduit having one end terminating substantially adjacent the lower portion of said trap chamber, and a check valve for said conduit opening outwardly of said trap chamber.

6. A milker unit comprising a milk receiving v receptacle, a cover for said receptacle, said receptacle including a milk inlet connection, a trap container projecting into said receptacle, said container having a removable closure, a dimple formed in said container, said dimple having one side extending substantially vertically with respect to said container, said dimple having an opening communicating with the upper portion of the container and the upper portion of said receptacle, and a vacuum connection on said container adapted to connect to a source of vacuum.

7. A milker unit comprising a milk receiving receptacle, a horizontal removable cover for said receptacle, said cover including a milk inlet connection, a dished portion integrally formed in said cover, said dished portion projecting downwardly into said receptacle thereby forming a trap chamber, an upwardly extending depression formed in said dished portion, said depression having converging sides terminating adjacent an opening communicating with the upper portion of the receptacle and the upper portion of said trapchamber, one of said converging sides extending substantially perpendicular with re-- spect to said cover, a removable closure for said trap chamber, said closure including an upwardly extending connecting hose adapted to connect to and support a pulsating unit, a vacuum connection on said hose communicating with said trap chamber, said connection including an upright conduit having one end terminating substantially adjacent the lower portion of said trap chamber, and a check valve for said conduit opening outwardly of said trap chamber.

WILLIAM H. HARSTICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 203,868 Adams May 21, 1878 844,780 Cram Feb. 19, 1907 1,111,562 Burrell Sept. .22, 1914 1,139,142 West May 11, 1915 1,350,109 Nystrom Aug. 1'7, 1920 1,534,670 Smith Apr. 21, 1925 1,950,227 Chevalier Mar. 6, 1934 2,100,636 Domershausen Nov. 20, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 33,082 Denmark Apr. 14, 1924 

